U.S. patent number 4,203,149 [Application Number 05/904,760] was granted by the patent office on 1980-05-13 for sun visor for vehicles.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Gebr. Happich GmbH. Invention is credited to Gert Mahler, Manfred Nowak, Lothar Viertel.
United States Patent |
4,203,149 |
Viertel , et al. |
May 13, 1980 |
Sun visor for vehicles
Abstract
A sun visor, including a mirror which can be lighted: there is
an outer frame secured in the visor body and an inner frame which
can be snapped into and out of the inner frame between two pivot
positions; an electric contact on the inner frame engages a contact
on the outer frame when the inner frame is flipped out; a spring
biased latch holds the inner frame in the outer frame; when the
latch is released, a spring biases the inner frame to be flipped
out.
Inventors: |
Viertel; Lothar (Wuppertal,
DE), Mahler; Gert (Radevormwald, DE),
Nowak; Manfred (Solingen, DE) |
Assignee: |
Gebr. Happich GmbH (Wuppertal,
DE)
|
Family
ID: |
6010829 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/904,760 |
Filed: |
May 11, 1978 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
Current U.S.
Class: |
362/144;
296/97.5; 362/204; 362/295 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60J
3/0282 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B60J
3/02 (20060101); B60J 003/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;296/97R,97B,97C,97H,97J
;362/135,136,137,144,155 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Peters, Jr.; Joseph F.
Assistant Examiner: Mar; Michael
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Ostrolenk, Faber, Gerb &
Soffen
Claims
We claim:
1. A sun visor for vehicles, or the like, comprising:
a sun visor body; a mirror;
frame means for holding said mirror to the exterior of said visor
body whereby said mirror is always exposed at the exterior of said
visor body and for enabling said mirror to be flipped into and out
of said visor body;
said frame means comprising an outer frame in said visor body and
comprising an inner frame which is flippably mounted in said outer
frame, such that said inner frame may be flipped partially out of
said outer frame; said mirror being supported on and flippable with
said inner frame;
an electric contact in said outer frame; a cooperating electric
contact on said inner frame and placed such that with said inner
frame flipped into said outer frame, said electric contacts are
disengaged and with said inner frame flipped out of said outer
frame, said electric contacts are in engagement;
a light source attached to and movable with said inner frame and
connected to said inner frame electric contact for being energized
by said contacts being in engagement said inner frame has a chamber
therein in which said light source is located; said inner frame
chamber having a ventilating hole communicating into said inner
frame chamber, wherein said ventilating hole is so placed on said
inner frame that when said inner frame is flipped into said outer
frame, said ventilating hole is covered and when said inner frame
is flipped out of said outer frame, said ventilating hole is
uncovered.
2. The sun visor of claim 1, wherein said inner frame chamber has a
socket therein for mechanically receiving a light bulb and for
electrically connecting a light bulb with said inner frame electric
contact; said inner frame electric contact being connected with
said socket.
3. The sun visor of claim 1, wherein said inner frame electric
contact projects beyond the edge of said inner frame for engaging
said outer frame contact.
4. The sun visor of claim 3, wherein said inner frame is connected,
in hinge-like manner, to said outer frame, along one respective
side of each of said inner and said outer frames.
5. The sun visor of claim 1, wherein said inner frame is connected,
in hinge-like manner, to said outer frame, along one respective
side of each of said inner and said outer frames;
said ventilating hole being on a side of said inner frame away from
the side of said inner frame which is hingedly joined to said outer
frame.
6. The sun visor of claim 1, wherein said inner frame is connected,
in hinge-like manner, to said outer frame, along one respective
side of each of said inner and said outer frames.
7. The sun visor of either claims 1 or 6, further comprising
limiting means for limiting the extent to which said inner frame
may flip out of said outer frame.
8. The sun visor of claim 7, wherein said limiting means comprises
a pin on said inner frame and a hole in said outer frame, said hole
being elongated in the direction of flipping movement of said inner
frame.
9. The sun visor either of claims 1 or 6, further comprising
retaining means for normally retaining said inner frame flipped
into said outer frame.
10. The sun visor of claim 9, further comprising releasing means
for releasing said retaining means, enabling said inner frame to
flip out of said outer frame.
11. The sun visor of claim 10, further comprising inner frame
biasing means for normally biasing said inner frame to flip out of
said outer frame.
12. The sun visor of claim 11, wherein said inner frame biasing
means comprises a generally U-shaped spring, with one leg of said
spring connected with said pin for urging said pin and said inner
frame out of said outer frame.
13. The sun visor of claim 9, wherein said retaining means
comprises a pin projecting from said inner frame and comprises
means on said outer frame for retaining said pin against moving in
a manner which would enable said inner frame to flip out of said
outer frame.
14. The sun visor of claim 13, wherein said means on said outer
frame comprises a spring plate which engages said pin; spring plate
biasing means for biasing said spring plate to retain said pin.
15. The sun visor of claim 14, further comprising releasing means
for releasing said retaining means, enabling said inner frame to
flip out of said outer frame.
16. The sun visor of claim 15, further comprising inner frame
biasing means for normally biasing said inner frame to flip out of
said outer frame.
17. The sun visor of claim 16, wherein said inner frame biasing
means comprises a generally U-shaped spring, with one leg of said
spring connected with said pin for urging said pin and said inner
frame out of said outer frame.
18. The sun visor of claim 14, wherein said spring plate includes
an undercut catch opening which traps said pin and said spring
plate biasing means holding said pin normally trapped.
19. The sun visor of claim 18, further comprising releasing means
for releasing said retaining means, enabling said inner frame to
flip out of said outer frame.
20. The sun visor of claim 18, further comprising limiting means
for limiting the extent to which said inner frame may flip out of
said outer frame.
21. The sun visor of claim 20, further comprising releasing means
for releasing said retaining means, enabling said inner frame to
flip out of said outer frame.
22. The sun visor of claim 21, further comprising inner frame
biasing means for normally biasing said inner frame to flip out of
said outer frame.
23. The sun visor of claim 22, wherein said inner frame biasing
means comprises a generally U-shaped spring, with one leg of said
spring connected with said pin for urging said pin and said inner
frame out of said outer frame.
24. The sun visor of claim 20, wherein said limiting means
comprises said pin on said inner frame and a hole in said outer
frame, said hole being elongated in the direction of flipping
movement of said inner frame.
25. The sun visor of claim 18, wherein said spring plate includes
an oblique surface thereon; said releasing means comprises a button
movable transversely to the path of motion of said spring plate, to
move toward and away from trapping said pin; said button including
a cooperating surface for engaging said spring plate oblique
surface.
26. The sun visor of claim 25, further comprising inner frame
biasing means for normally biasing said inner frame to flip out of
said outer frame.
27. The sun visor of claim 26, wherein said inner frame biasing
means comprises a generally U-shaped spring, with one leg of said
spring connected with said pin for urging said pin and said inner
frame out of said outer frame.
28. A sun visor for vehicles, or the like, comprising:
a sun visor body; a mirror;
frame means for holding said mirror to the exterior of said visor
body whereby said mirror is always exposed at the exterior of said
visor body and for enabling said mirror to be flipped into and out
of said visor body;
said frame means comprising an outer frame in said visor body and
comprising an inner frame which is flippably mounted in said outer
frame, such that said inner frame may be flipped partially out of
said outer frame;
retaining means for normally retaining said inner frame flipped
into said outer frame; releasing means for releasing said retaining
means, enabling said inner frame to flip out of said outer frame;
inner frame biasing means for normally biasing said inner frame to
flip out of said outer frame;
said retaining means comprises a pin projecting from said inner
frame and comprises means on said outer frame for retaining said
pin against moving in a manner which would enable said inner frame
to flip out of said outer frame; said means on said outer frame
comprises a spring plate which engages said pin; spring plate
biasing means for biasing said spring plate to retain said pin.
29. The sun visor of claim 28, further comprising limiting means
for limiting the extent to which said inner frame may flip out of
said outer frame.
30. The sun visor of claim 29, wherein said limiting means
comprises a pin on said inner frame and a hole in said outer frame,
said hole being elongated in the direction of flipping movement of
said inner frame.
31. The sun visor of claim 28, wherein said spring plate includes
an undercut catch opening which traps said pin and said spring
plate biasing means holding said pin normally trapped.
32. The sun visor of claim 31, further comprising inner frame
biasing means for normally biasing said inner frame to flip out of
said outer frame.
33. The sun visor of claim 32, further comprising limiting means
for limiting the extent to which said inner frame may flip out of
said outer frame.
34. The sun visor of claim 33, wherein said limiting means
comprises said pin on said inner frame and a hole in said outer
frame, said hole being elongated in the direction of flipping
movement of said inner frame.
35. The sun visor of claim 34, wherein said spring plate includes
an oblique surface thereon; said releasing means comprises a button
movable transversely to the path of motion of said spring plate, to
move toward and away from trapping said pin; said button including
a cooperating surface for engaing said spring plate oblique
surface.
36. The sun visor of claim 33, wherein said inner frame biasing
means comprises a generally U-shaped spring, with one leg of said
spring connected with said pin for urging said pin and said inner
frame out of said outer frame.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a sun visor for a motor vehicle and more
particularly to a mirror which is accommodated in the body of the
sun visor and which can be lighted by a least one light source.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is known to provide vehicle sun visors with mirrors. Mirror
equipped sun visors are usually installed on the passenger side of
motor vehicles. To enable the mirror to also be used in darkness,
it is further known to coordinate a light source with the mirror.
The light source usually comprises a small incandescent bulb.
As shown, for example, in U.S. application Ser. No. 866,992, filed
Jan. 5, 1978, the light bulb is located above the mirror in a
housing which is part of a hinged cover that covers the mirror when
it is not in use. The hinged cover is itself also a switch which
turns the light source on and off as the cover is, respectively,
opened and closed.
The above described sun visor has a number of disadvantages. The
hinged cover is an additional component which increases the cost of
the sun visor and must be separately produced and assembled. If the
light source is on for a long period of time, heat accumulates
inside its housing and this greatly shortens the life of the bulb.
Also, flipping the hinged cover up always turns on the light
source, which is often undesirable, particularly in daylight.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a sun visor of the kind
described above, which has a lighted mirror with fewer components
and which is, therefore, less expensive.
It is another object of the invention to make use of the mirror
possible with the light source shut off.
It is a further object to avoid the accumulation of heat in the
light source housing when the light source is turned on.
According to the invention, the mirror is fastened to an inner
frame which is mounted in an outer frame in a manner permitting the
inner frame to be moved, flipped or snapped out of the outer frame.
The inner frame is equipped with at least one electric contact
element connected to the light source. When the inner frame has
been flipped out, the contact element of the inner frame makes
contact with a cooperating contact on the outer frame for
energizing the light source. This improves the usefulness of the
sun visor considerably. In addition, it simplifies sun visor
production because providing an operational light source does not
require producing and assembling a hinged cover over the light
source. Further, after the entire sun visor body has been flipped
or swiveled down from its position against the roof of the vehicle,
the mirror is always ready for use because it is not covered up by
a hinged cover. Even during darkness, the light source can be
turned on by flipping out the inner frame that carries the mirror.
This is because the inner frame, which is equipped with contact
elements, acts as an electric switch.
The lower long edge of the inner frame is accommodated hinge-like
in the outer frame. The upper edge of the inner frame carries a
projecting pin which engages an oblong hole provided in the outer
frame. This serves to limit the hinged motion of the inner frame
with respect to the outer frame. The inner frame can be flipped out
in accordance with the length of the oblong hole and the structural
height of the sun visor body.
At its upper end, the inner frame has one or more ventilating holes
in the area of or above each light source. When the top end of the
inner frame is flipped forward out of the outer frame, this turns
on the light source and also exposes the ventilation holes of the
light sources. This results in automatic ventilation of the light
source and precludes the accumulation of heat.
In another embodiment of the invention, there is a spring plate,
which is disposed on the upper horizontal web of the outer frame.
The spring plate carries an undercut catch opening for the
projecting pin of the inner frame and the spring plate is movable
to release the pin and the inner frame to move by means of a
spring-loaded push button. The spring plate is movable against the
force of a spring arm which forms an integral part of the spring
plate. At its end opposite the spring arm the spring plate has an
oblique surface resting against a cooperatingly oblique surface of
the push button. This creates an effective locking arrangement,
whereby the inner frame is secured in its snapped in position and
is unlockable in a simple manner by actuating the push button.
To facilitate flipping out the inner frame, a U-shaped opening
spring pushes out the inner frame. This spring has legs of
different lengths. The shorter leg is disposed on the outer frame
and the longer leg has a bent end portion, to which the pin that is
guided in the oblong hole of the outer frame is riveted.
The inner frame may have a chamber on each of its vertical sides.
Each chamber opens toward the back of the inner frame and it
contains a socket for an incandescent bulb. The socket has an
extension, a contact boss of which projects beyond the lateral edge
of the inner frame and meets the contact on the outer frame. These
chambers center the light emitted by the light sources and stiffen
the inner frame.
Other objects and features of the invention are explained with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a sun visor which is equipped
with a lightable mirror;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view along line II--II of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a mirror frame along
line III--III of FIG. 4;
FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the mirror shown in FIG. 3,
viewed in the direction of arrow IV;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view along line V--V of FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along line VI--VI of FIG. 3;
and
FIG. 7 is a top view of the mirror frame.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIGS. 1 and 2 show a sun visor body. In the body is embedded a
mirror frame comprising an outer frame 2 and an inner frame 3. The
inner frame is inserted in the outer frame and can be moved,
snapped or flipped out of it. The inner frame 3 has a frame opening
4 in it, behind which the mirror 5 is disposed.
On its front side, the outer frame 2 has a flange-like collar 6
that surrounds it. As shown in FIG. 7, the collar 6 has in its
upper horizontal side or web a depression 7 with a central opening
in the bottom 8. Toward the bottom of each vertical web of the
outer frame 2, a cutout 9 is formed. Each cutout forms a bearing
hole that serves to seat a pin 10 which is formed on the inner
frame 3. Chamfers 11 entering the cutouts 9 make the introduction
of the pins 10 easier.
The inner frame 3 is essentially of box shape. It has on its walls
lanced-out springy detent tabs 12 which serve to retain the mirror
5 at the front side of the frame. In addition, along the side areas
of the inner frame 3, there are chambers 13, each of which opens
toward the back of the inner frame. A vertical web 14 is carried on
or at the back of frame 3 or in the body of the sun visor. The web
14 has cam shaped lugs 15 which support a below described opening
spring 16 above the chambers 13. The upper frame walls of the inner
frame 3 have one or more ventilating holes 17. As may be seen
particularly well in FIGS. 5 and 6, the frame walls of the inner
frame 3 narrow rearwardly of the frame.
The inner frame 3 is mounted in the outer frame 2 by the pins 10 so
that the inner frame can be flipped out of the outer frame. The
dash-dotted line in FIG. 3 indicates the flipped-out position of
the inner frame.
There is a pin 18, which is guided in an oblong hole 19 formed in
the upper horizontal web of the outer frame 2. The engagement of
the pin 18 in the hole 19 serves to limit the pivoting motion of
the inner frame. At the same time, the pin 18 forms a locking
element for securing the inner frame 3 at its inward position. To
accomplish this, the pin 18 interacts with a spring plate 20
supported atop the outer frame 2.
The spring plate 20 has an undercut slit opening 21 extending in
from a side edge of the plate 20 and in the undercut of which, the
pin 18 is trapped, as shown in FIG. 7. A bent-up spring arm 22 is
attached on the plate 20 and is curved backwardly. The spring arm
22 is supported by a pin 27 fixed on the frame 2. The spring 22
normally biases the plate 20 to the right in FIG. 7 normally to
trap the pin 18. A bent-up oblique surface 23 at the edge of plate
20 cooperates in the release of pin 18. The spring plate 20 has an
elongated hole 24 in it and a clip pin 25 from the outer frame 2
passes through the hole 24 to clip the plate 20 to the frame 2 and
guide the sliding of the plate 20. Additionally, the plate 20 is
retained by another clip 26.
Through actuating the push button 28, the spring plate 20 is
movable against the force of the spring arm 22. The push button 28
can be pushed into the depression 7 at the top of the collar 6
against the force of a return spring 29. The push button 28 has a
pin with a bevel surface 30 which rests against the oblique surface
23 of the spring plate 20. FIG. 7 shows the locked, or flipped-in
position of the inner frame 3. For flipping out the inner frame 3,
including the mirror 5, the push button 28 is depressed. This moves
the spring plate 20 to the left in FIG. 7, releasing the pin 18
from the undercut of the slit opening 21. Thereafter the inner
frame 3 can be flipped out of the outer frame 2.
Flipping out of the inner frame is expediently automatically
accomplished by the opening spring 16. The spring is of U-shape
comprising a shorter leg 31, which supports itself against the web
14 and comprising a longer leg 32, which, after several bends, has
an end portion 33 retained in a clip structure on the upper wall of
the inner frame 3. The pin 18 penetrates a slit opening in the
upper wall of the inner frame 3 and is riveted to the end portion
33 of the spring 16.
Disposed in each of the chambers 13 is a socket, which is fastened
to the vertical side wall of the inner frame 3. Each socket
includes an integral contact boss 35 that projects beyond the edge
of the inner frame 3. In the flipped-out position of the inner
frame 3, the contact bosses 35 make contact with the stationary
contacts 36 supported on the outer frame 2. Contacts 36 are
mechanically and electrically connected with the metallic wire
insert 37 of the sun visor body 1 and are ground contacts. Electric
current is supplied through a conductor 38 connected to the
electrical system of the vehicle. Through a plug element 39, the
conductor 38 is connected to the contact 41 which is mounted to the
chamber wall 40. By flipping the inner frame 3 out, the contacts
35, 36 are engaged and the light sources comprised of samll
incandescent bulbs 42 are turned on. The light sources are turned
off again by flipping the inner frame 3 in again. The inner frame 3
is flipped into the outer frame also when the sun visor body is
swung up because the inner frame is then pushed against the
interior of the vehicle roof.
The inner and outer frames may be produced inexpensively as plastic
injection moldings. Assembling the components connected with the
mirror can be accomplished quickly and simply by plug-in
assembly.
Although the present invention has been described in connection
with a preferred embodiment thereof, many variations and
modifications will now become apparent to those skilled in the art.
It is preferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited
not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended
claims.
* * * * *